The Fond du Lac Area Foundation receives many worthy requests, and we want your organization’s time to go toward applications that can succeed. This page lists the purposes grants cannot be awarded for, so you can check your request before you begin.
If a request falls close to one of these lines, please reach out. Our team is happy to talk through whether a program is a good fit before you start an application.
To come: whether grants can support operating or ongoing expenses, wages or salaries, or annual fund drives. The current website lists these as exclusions, but that list differs from current practice; to be confirmed in writing by the Executive Director and grants staff during implementation
To come: the Foundation’s answer to whether grants can support a program’s operating costs or only specific projects, to be confirmed during implementation
If your request includes the costs of running a program, we encourage you to contact us before you apply so we can talk through how your request fits.
These guidelines help ensure that charitable dollars entrusted to the Foundation reach organizations and programs serving Fond du Lac County and our affiliate communities. A request that falls outside them is never a reflection on an organization’s value or impact.
Eligibility comes first, so please also review Are We Eligible? To learn how requests are considered once they are submitted, see How Your Application Is Reviewed.
The Fond du Lac Area Foundation does not award grants to individuals or families, for lobbying, referendum campaigns, or partisan political work, or for travel. Grants also do not cover an organization’s accumulated deficit or debt, religious mission work, or other organizations’ endowment funds. Grants go to 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Fond du Lac County and our affiliate communities.
answer to be confirmed during implementation
Yes, for a program that serves the whole community. Grants do not fund religious mission work, but a church-run program such as a warming shelter can qualify. Are We Eligible? explains the eligibility requirements.
No. Grants are not awarded for purposes of travel. If you have questions about how this applies to your program, please contact us before you begin an application.
Grants are awarded only to 501(c)(3) organizations, not to individuals or families. Nonprofits serving people in need can apply for a grant for their programs, and students can apply for the Foundation’s scholarships.
Not sure whether your request fits? Our team can talk it through with you before you apply.
